I am relocating to Madagascar in August 2017. I will be working in the capital Antananarivo. Anyone been there or have any good tips on places to visit? I'll be exporting my 4x4 out there and am keen to explore!

I'm particularly keen to hear from anyone who has been surfing there (or in nearby Mozambique / Comoros / Mayotte / Réunion / Mauritius). Word on the street is it's quite sharky?

Not sure if it's any help but I lived in Mtwara, Tanzania for 3 years, on the Mozambique border, just across the way, and was in the ocean daily, plus numerous SAR exercises far out to sea. Never heard of any sharks whatsoever. The fisherman and local divers all swear there are no sharks. I know they had a serious rat issue awhile back, but that was 2 to 3 years ago.

As you move South along the coast, you will find sharks. They can get crazy as you get near seal rookeries South of Durban, but up towards Tanzania I was told the warm currents keep them away. I think those are the same currents coursing through North end of Madagascar. Or maybe it was cold currents? Whatever the currents were, they kept sharks away. Anywhere you have seal rookeries, I would not go in the water.

I really love Tanzania, and could have moved there to be honest. I still have plenty of good friends back there that I talk with weekly. The general population is extremely poor but you'd be hard pressed to find a happier more positive populace. I got caught up in a few riots but was never in any danger. We'd often stumble home across town in the wee hours messed up on konyagi and the only ones who ever stopped were people offering to take us home. One guy I worked with was involved in a coup attempt years earlier, he owns a small airline there now. He definitely helped us smooth things out when we needed "connections". The one thing that really brings the place down is the garbage, it's everywhere. Not much pride there unfortunately. The locals seem happy with the new government and cracking down on corruption. Kind of messy but it's one of my favourite African countries by far.

RYP wrote:I can hook you up with a friend who has lived there for years.

Sounds great! Can you DM me their details? Or I can send you my email?

Hey RYP, I made it to Madagascar! Have been living here for about six weeks now. The place is amazing. Am heading out from Antananarivo to explore the east coast this October. Will be sure to post some photos on here when I get back. In the mean time, would be good to contact your friend who has lived here for years!

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